Kendall Elise
2nd December 2018
The Wine Cellar, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review & Photography by Sarah Kidd.
Lazy Sundays are meant for enjoying the warmer weather and listening to only the best local talent in intimate surrounds; Auckland patrons getting the chance to do just that as they stepped in from the early evening sun into the welcoming enclosures of Wine Cellar.
Lacing humour, sharp dressing and outstanding musicianship together, the duo known as Show Me Where It Hurts, were first up with their unique brand of whimsical songs. Featuring Josh Hetherington (formally of Thorazine Shuffle) on vocals and keys and the highly amusing Ronny Haynes on drums, the pair serenaded the audience as only they can. Seated behind a Fender Rhodes electric piano, Hetherington is hard to tear your eyes from, his boyish fringe overhanging a penetrating gaze and an impish smile. His laid-back vocals bear just the right timbre to both relax and entertain simultaneously, the lyrics and fancy finger work as enticing as his dapper two-piece suit. Despite the rather comical persona, Haynes is a very accomplished drummer, the fact that he makes it look all so effortless only alluding to his talents even more so.
‘In The Morning’ kicked the set off with a jaunty little tale that culminated in a vocal duet towards the end; Haynes proving that he can hit a falsetto note or two when required. Followed up with ‘All You’ll Ever Need’ from their first EP and it was clear to see that the audience were certainly enjoying the pairs self-branded ‘swingin sass, soul and fingerpoppin’ rock-a-rolla’ songs. Peppering their set with amusing banter as well as a delightful cover of The Rolling Stones ‘Fool To Cry’, Show Me Where It Hurts delivered a set worthy of the enthusiastic applause it received upon its conclusion.
Accompanied by her three-piece band, Kendall Elise stepped out in a sophisticated red and black outfit that was embellished with a large red flower in her hair, looking every inch the country/folk singer starlet that she is. The single release tour is in celebration of her latest tune ‘The Clocktower’ which Elise chooses to usher in the evenings proceedings with; a deeply passionate track with an unmistakable sense of longing, it moves at a measured pace, highlighted by not only crisp guitar notes but the alluring vocals of Elise herself.
Advising that there is a “running theme” to the show, Elise proceeds to deliver two tracks back to back that are written about Papakura, the suburb in which she grew up; both ‘Kirk’s Bush’ and ‘Valentine Street’ not only an insight into Elise’s past but that of the towns; an underlying dark current to their stories adding to their intensity. Thoughtfully placed covers had been added to the set, the first allowing an opportunity for all four band members to let their hair down so to speak as they performed an outstanding rendition of the 1969 classic ‘Effigy’ by Creedence Clearwater Revival; John Segovia on lead guitar proving just why they call him maestro. Stepping forward to perform solo, Elise’s cover of the Bruce Springsteen favourite ‘Dancing In The Dark’ was both contemplative and fraught with emotion, it’s conclusion leaving the audience in momentary silent awe before erupting in applause.
Just when it appeared that that was the highlight of the set, Elise and co then pull out the mesmerizing ‘Black Dog’, Elise’s vocals moving through the room like a twilight mist. Her singing on point throughout – there is nowhere to hide in such intimate surroundings – she periodically steps back from the microphone and allows her voice to soar, the finale of the song ending in a voluminous fusion with both Chis Kemp on drums and Robert Scott on bass expertly adding their touch. ‘Heart Full Of Dirt’ – a fan favourite – brought the tempo back up to eleven, it’s mix of foot-stomping country music and black humour lyrics bringing a smile to everyone’s faces; requests for one last song seeing Elise once again perform solo, her cover of Maria McKee’s ‘If Love is a Red Dress’ impeccable.
With a voice that will send delectable shivers down your spine and an ever-evolving aptitude for composing music, Kendall Elise can undoubtedly look forward to a long and illustrious career.
Were you there at The Wine Cellar for this country/folk fusion gig? Or have you seen Kendall Elise perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Kendall Elise Setlist:
- The Clocktower
- Kirk’s Bush
- Valentine Street
- Effigy [Creedence Clearwater Revival cover]
- Rose Red
- The Best Of Town And Country
- Dancing In The Dark [Bruce Springsteen cover]
- Black Dog
- Your Mama
- Kingseat
- Heart Full Of Dirt
- If Love Is A Red Dress [Maria McKee cover]
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